Football Clubs Join Forces Over RG Kar Doctor Rape & Murde

18th August 2024 : The city of Kolkata is witnessing an unprecedented wave of unity as the rage over the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital on August 9 continues to escalate. In a rare show of solidarity, the city’s top football clubs—Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting—have set aside their fierce rivalries to demand swift justice for the victim and her grieving family.

Thousands of passionate football supporters from these clubs joined forces on Sunday, holding a massive rally in front of the iconic Salt Lake Stadium. The protest led to a complete blockade of the stretch between the Beleghata crossing on EM Bypass and the southern end of the VIP Road flyover, bringing traffic to a standstill for over four hours. This powerful demonstration reflects the deep anger and sorrow felt by the community as they call for urgent action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime.

Protests Surge in Kolkata: Football Fans Block EM Bypass in Response to Doctor's Murder

Protesters began assembling outside the VIP gate of Salt Lake Stadium from 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, with the blockade of EM Bypass starting an hour later. As the evening wore on, fresh groups of demonstrators replaced those who had been moved by the police, maintaining the blockade in phases. The protest, a reaction to the horrific rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor, brought traffic to a standstill on both sides of the bypass. It wasn’t until 8:45 p.m. that the bypass was fully cleared, allowing vehicles to resume their normal flow. The demonstration highlighted the collective outrage and determination of the city’s football community to seek justice for the victim.

Angry protesters, many wearing their club jerseys, shouted slogans demanding justice for the murdered junior doctor and questioned why only one arrest had been made so far. The outrage wasn't confined to just one area—several more marches took place across the city, all with the same demand for justice. Junior doctors and Tollywood personalities also took to the streets, leading two separate marches in a unified call for swift action and accountability.

The police have summoned several individuals, including Trinamool Congress MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and two doctors, for allegedly spreading misinformation about the investigation into the junior doctor's murder. Late on Sunday, two men, Rakesh Pal and Sheikh Salman, were arrested for allegedly inciting violence outside the Salt Lake Stadium. The protesters outside the stadium would have typically been there to watch the Durand Cup derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan on Sunday evening. However, the match was called off on Saturday to prevent potential protests against the RG Kar Hospital incident, which could have led to law-and-order issues within the stadium.

Football fans began gathering outside the stadium's VIP gate around 3:30 pm but were soon instructed by officers from the Bidhannagar Commissionerate to disperse, as assemblies of more than three people had been banned in the area for the afternoon. Earlier, at a press conference, Bidhannagar police announced the ban, sharing audio clips that hinted at potential violence, including threats of "gas bombs" and "acid bombs" at the planned gathering. One of the clips even mentioned a possible "armed attack," prompting heightened security measures to prevent any escalation.

The ongoing investigation has placed former RG Kar Medical College Principal, Sandip Ghosh, under intense scrutiny. Mr. Ghosh, who resigned just two days after the discovery of the victim’s body, has been questioned by the CBI for several days as investigators delve into his actions surrounding the crime. The probe includes a thorough examination of his phone records and his behavior before and after the incident. A significant aspect of the investigation is why Ghosh made the victim's parents wait nearly three hours before allowing them to see their daughter's body. The CBI is also exploring the possibility of premeditation in the crime and whether the former principal played any role in it.

This is a developing story.

With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies